Although it offered a high-performance GTI version of the Golf->ke164 since the very beginning, it took Volkswagen->ke94 nearly three decades to develop a more powerful version of its popular hatchback->ke304. It was 2003 when the Golf R32 arrived as the world's first production car with a dual-clutch gearbox and every performance, safety, and luxury feature Volkswagen had to offer, as well as the brand-new, 3.2-liter, VR6 engine. The nameplate continued as the R32 for the fifth-gen Golf and was changed to Golf R with the Mk6 generation. An all-new Golf R debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235 and then traveled to the U.S. for the 2014 Detroit Auto Show->ke222. But despite being showcased on American soil only a few months after its European debut, the Golf R did not arrive in U.S. showrooms until early 2015, as a 2016 model.

That's more than a year's wait for customers, who probably managed to survive the 12 months by feeding on the R's staggering performance numbers and aggressive appearance, and dreaming about the day they will be in control of the 292 ponies coming from the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-pot. With the Golf R Launch Edition already sold out as of January 2015, the seventh-gen hot hatch is finally ready to hit U.S. streets and take on similar offerings from Ford->ke31 and Subaru->ke86.

Updated 01/27/2015: Volkswagen finally revealed a set of high-res images of the new Golf R, which apparently is a big hit in the U.S. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R.

2016 Volkswagen Golf R

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Volkswagen Golf R
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 292 @ 5400
  • Torque: 280 @ 1800
  • Transmission: Six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Update History

Updated 11/19/2014: Volkswagen announced prices for the new Golf R which will be offered for the U.S. customers in the first quarter of 2015 in four -door form only. Described as the fastest and most powerful Golf ever to be sold in the U.S. market, the new Golf R will be priced from $36,595. Details after the jump.

Updated 01/23/2015: We've added a series of new images from the car's official debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.

Exterior

To no surprise, the 2016 Golf R offers the same visual treatment seen on previous generations. Of course, the hatch features the same updates as the seventh-gen Golf, while being distinguished by a new bumper design with large air inlets for improved engine cooling. The new Golf R also gets a modified grille that sports an "R" logo and newly developed LED daytime running lights integrated into the bi-xenon headlight housings.

On the sides, the new R version gets some cool body-colored "R" side skirts, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and black calipers with "R" logos. Around back, Volkswagen adds an "R" design diffuser and a sports exhaust system with four chrome tailpipes.

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in/mm)

103.5/2630

Front Track (in/mm)

60.7/1541

Rear Track (in/mm)

59.7/1515

Length (in/mm)

168.4/4276

Width (in/mm)

70.8/1799

Height (in/mm)

56.5/1436

Ground Clearance (in/mm)

4.8/122


Interior

Besides being roomier due to the car's increase width, the interior is also a bit sportier than the GTI's. Highlights include sport front seats wrapped in dark or light Nappa leather in the center and head restraints upholstered in dark “Carbon” Nappa leather.

Just like in the past, the Golf R gets a sporty, three-spoke steering wheel with a chrome "R" logo placed on the lower crossbar, light-blue tachometer and speedometer, door trim panels offered with a "Carbon Touch" design, and other "R" logos placed on the radio or navigation system touchscreen.

The instruments and the touchscreen’s start menu are also customized. When the ignition is switched on, the light-blue needles, which automatically light up as soon as the driver’s door is opened, sweep once across the entire scale. The 5.8-inch touchscreen also features proximity sensors, automatically switching from display mode to input mode as soon as the driver or front passenger moves a finger toward the display. Blue lighting coming from the door panels provides a warm ambience inside the vehicle.

Interior Dimensions

Front

Rear

Volume

51.2 cu ft

42.3 cu ft

Headroom (in/mm)

38.4/975

38.1/967

Shoulder room (in/mm)

55.9/1420

53.9/1370

Legroom (in/mm)

41.2/1046

35.6/903


Drivetrain

Under its hood, the Golf R gets an updated version of the 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that delivers 292 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,800 to 5,500 rpm. The engine mates to a six-speed manual transmission as standard, which helps sprint the Golf R to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds -- 0.4 seconds faster than the previous Golf R. The Golf R will also have an optional six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission available, which drops the 0-to-60 mph time to an amazing 4.9 seconds. The latter makes the Golf R a full second quicker than the Ford Focus ST.

When compared to the engine used in the previous model, the new one gets completely redesigned cylinder heads, pistons, high-pressure injection system, and turbocharger. The engine will send its power to all four wheels via Volkswagen's 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive, the main culprit behind the hatch's amazing sprint times.

Drivetrain Specifications:

Engine

2.0-Liter TSI Four-Cylinder

Output (Horsepower @ RPM)

292 @ 5,400

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

280 @ 1,800 - 5,500

Standard Transmission

Six-Speed Manual

Optional Transmission

Six-Speed DSG

Drive Setup

4MOTION All-Wheel Drive

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

5.3 Sec (Manual) / 4.9 Sec (DSG)

City mpg

23

Highway mpg

30


Suspension and Brakes

The 2016 Golf R comes standard with 18-inch, aluminum-alloy wheels and a high-performance braking system that includes 13.4-inch vented discs up front and 12.2-inch discs on the rear. Holding the Golf R steady in the twist is a sports suspension system that drops the car's ride by 0.8 inches. This new unit includes strut-type front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension.

Customers will also have the chance to add in the second-generation DCC dynamic chassis control, which features three driving modes: "Comfort," "Normal," and "Sport." Also available is a Driving Profile Selector with three programs, including a "Race" mode specifically designed for the Golf R. Just in case you want to take the hatch for a few laps at the Laguna Seca.

Prices

The well-equipped Volkswagen Golf R starts from $36,595, with the DCC and Navigation increasing the sticker to $39,090. The Golf R is nearly $12,000 more expensive than the GTI model, further proof that performance doesn't come cheap, even though we're talking about a Volkswagen and not a Porsche.

Pricing Details

Model

Price

Volkswagen Golf R

$36,595

Volkswagen Golf R with DCC and Nav

$39,090


Competition

Ford Focus ST

Updated for the 2015 model year, the Focus ST actually fits right between the Golf GTI and the Golf R. More powerful and quicker than the former, the Focus ST is rather slow when compared to the latter, mostly because it is down 40 ponies and 10 pound-feet of torque. Still, the Focus ST is a very good proposition if you're not that anxious to get to 60 mph in less than six seconds, not to mention that the new updates make it quite a stunning hatch to look at. Its deep body creases, beefy front bumpers and blacked-out front grille make the Golf R look rather soft in comparison.

Much like the Golf, the Focus ST uses a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder to move about, with 252 horses and 270 pound-feet of torque hitting the front wheels -- that's right, the Focus is devoid of all-wheel-drive, not even as an option. As a result, the ST needs 5.9 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start, making it a full second slower than the DSG-equipped Golf R. On the other hand, the Focus ST is way cheaper than its German counterpart, with the sticker starting at $23,625.

Subaru WRX STI

The WRX STI might not be available as a hatchback nowadays, but with the U.S. market missing both the hardcore Audi RS3 and the Seat Leon Cupra 280, we're running out of options. This Japanese compact, however, is well suited to go against the Golf R, having no less than 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of twist at its disposal. Coupled to Subaru's advanced AWD system with Active Torque Vectoring and an updated six-speed manual, the 2.5-liter boxer makes the WRX STI quicker than the German hatch with a 0-to-60 sprint of 4.7 seconds.

The compact has also earning bragging rights to a more upscale interior, as well as an exterior design that's more inspiring than the Golf R's. Add the rally heritage behind the WRX nameplate and the WRX has everything it needs to win this duel. At $34,495, the Suby is also a bit cheaper than the German hatch.

Ford Focus RS

Although it has yet to arrive as of January 2015, the Focus RS promises to hit U.S. showrooms with up to 330 menacing horses at its disposal. Such an output would not only make it the most powerful hot hatch on the North American market, but also enable it to obliterate the Golf R in that department. Should Ford add a much-rumored AWD system, the Focus RS is likely to make hot hatch enthusiasts forget about the Golf R and become the next big hit nationwide.

Although exterior updates aren't massive, the Focus RS is in for a brand-new nose, and roof spoiler and a revised rear bumper. A sportier interior will also complement the updated suspension system and the high-performance brakes. I expect the Focus RS to retail from around $30,000, but it all depends on whether it receives all-wheel drive or not.

Conclusion

The Golf R may have arrived later on U.S. soil, but I guess we can all forgive Volkswagen for the delay just by looking at the hatch's staggering performance figures. Sure, the WRX STI might be the better option performance and price-wise, but if you're in the market for a full-fledged hot hatch, the Golf R is your best option. At least until the EcoBoost-powered Focus RS arrives for the 2016 model year.